Pilatus

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

24 Hour Time Skip Warning

Temporal jump to Saturday Evening Art Showing. Special Event . Be ready to dress nice and have a little fun. Expect a few surprises as well.

Consider what your character(s) may have been doing in the course of the week!

Any questions please let us know.

As always, if you feel that you are not ready to skip. PLEASE speak up!

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

24 Hour Time Skip Warning

Temporal jump to Saturday Evening Art Showing. Special Event . Be ready to dress nice and have a little fun. Expect a few surprises as well.

Consider what your character(s) may have been doing in the course of the week!

Any questions please let us know.

As always, if you feel that you are not ready to skip. PLEASE speak up!

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Joel Nicolosi

Joel gave a playful resistance to her nips around his chin, feeling the breath of her words against his face. “You better behave or I'm gonna make you sit in the Jeep.” He said with a mockingly and gently ran a hand through her long hair. The glimmer in her eyes sometimes made him feel old in a way. Being nearly ten years her senior he had to think back and remind himself what he had been like at twenty-three and that most real-life experiences were still completely new to her. In some ways he was a little envious and thought fleetingly about where he would be at twenty-three equipped with the knowledge he had at near thirty-three. His eyes briefly glanced up around the sparse parking lot and the slow stream of late-evening traffic of Western Shore seeing their breath rise past his nose. “I'm not promising I won't disparage your character [i]too much(/i]. He said playfully.

Swiftly he lifted her up by the legs and opened the Jeep’s heavy door which obediently swung open on its simple metal hinges and placed her in the driver's seat before jumping in behind her and helping her across the center console. He rocked the shifter a few times and started it up turning on the heater and thinking about what they were doing next. Getting some coffee and maybe just make a big loop around town was his first thought while just letting her tell the story. Since she wasn't from Sol, he figured she would enjoy it. The city could be very picturesque from certain angles, much like she had discovered the night they were stuck on top of City Hall and was much easier to admire when the vehicle wasn't traveling at over a hundred miles per hour. He put the shifter in gear and gave the pedal a couple light taps as he let the clutch out and they were on their way. “Go ahead, let's hear it.” He said with some comical anticipation.

@Almalthia

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

FYI,

Be on the lookout for a formal slip warning coming up. We're looking at skipping to Saturday evening for the talked about Art Gallery.

Stay tuned,

-P

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Paige Kennedy

Paige thought about his question. He was right. Those involved in their mess were tending to have shorter lifespans recently. She still wasn't sure what Elvin was being hauled off for, but could rest assured it wasn't because Nikki planned to congratulate him on a job well done in acquiring more property for the Syndicate. She still didn't trust him, but by experience she knew his type. He was an opportunist and she knew no matter how much she may have saved his backside, he would not hesitate to stab her in the back if it suited his interests. Shaking her head a little, she thought about Dustynn and not putting her in danger any more than she unknowingly was already. “I don't think we’ll have to coach her.” She said still looking away and thinking, considering how many ways circumstances could play out. “I will bet you Elvin is trying to buy up the Club and set it up as another racket job for Nikki. Shannon told me Sol is his big move to take over and he's puttin’ down roots.”

She glanced back over at Milo. “Losing Jackie was only a speed bump for him.” Paige knew he already knew what she was going on about, but was only thinking out loud. “We just need Dustynn to tell us what's happening from the inside and not ask too many questions.” She said. “She's close with the owner of the Club too… If they made an offer and he turned it down, then they're just gonna try harder until they can get him to budge. They've already bought up most of The Run already.” She reached and straightened the collar of Milo's shirt with one hand and met his eyes. “Notice all the bad press that place has been getting lately?” It suddenly dawned on her that she hadn't even told him about the visit from Agent Barrett earlier that day. “I know we're getting close… Some Fed from Detroit dropped by this morning and tried to threaten me to get off the case.”

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@MissCapnCrunch

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Joel Nicolosi

Ugh… Here comes the baggage cart. Joel thought to himself as Sio confirmed that she did indeed have what could be referred to as a stalker. He scratched at his healthy stubble as she explained and let his mind wander on the fact that he hadn’t really shaved in a considerable amount of time. She seemed to like it though and shaving was a pain in the ass so it was a win-win. He liked win-wins. What he didn’t like was the name, Bradley and for some reason couldn’t stop picturing some fresh, scarf wearing hipster with rich parents and skinny jeans. Whatever disagreement that prompted this apparenting stalking was auto related which was amusing in a way. Joel found it comical when people who knew nothing about a given subject got into arguments.

Glancing around as the meal came to a close, Joel remembered it was Tuesday night which in some circles meant Tipsy Tuesday, but around Western Shore meant most people would be headed home for bed and work the next day. The restaurant was easily attending to its ever- decreasing, weekday evening clientele and there were no live sports on any of the networks which meant the atmosphere was mostly subdued. He didn’t particularly want to go back to the shop, but wasn’t really in a mood to party either. He couldn’t stand to be bored though his bizarre schedule often clashed with the regular inhabitants of Sol City. To her credit, Sio was doing a good job of keeping up and he allowed himself to look over at her figure in the booth next to him before considering her question with a light shrug. “I dunno,” He said looking away at one of the televisions hanging above the bar area. “I don’t really wanna go back across the bridge yet.”

After any good meal, like clockwork, he had a strong hankering for a good cup of coffee and it would be a little drive up to Riverside to really get a cup of something other than the big chains. He was wide awake though and was pretty much up for anything. Having her along on his regular late-night wanderings felt strangely welcome, like she’d always been there. “I could go for a good cup of coffee, and you can tell me about how you wound up with a stalker.” He said nonchalantly indicating he was more entertained by her story than at all worried.

@Almalthia

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Joel Nicolosi

Normally a phone call at the dinner table would have been enough to pluck Joel’s nerves more than a little, but considering that he was the one who brought it up, he had to let it pass and as she talked he perused the rest of the motorsports news from around the world while listening in on her conversation. He let his mind drift, thinking about the race team and all the traveling that was in front of him. Jamaica was just the first stop. Kenya, Turkey, Monte Carlo, Nepal and others would follow. The distance felt exhausting, but the driving was like a medicine for his soul and it came very natural to him even more so than GT racing. The cars were simpler and the controls were quick making pushing the envelope easy and downright exhilarating. The shift and balance of the weight against the grip of the tires, controlling the drift and using the torque of the engine to point the nose. The rally felt more about finesse and technique while the track was all about discipline and consistency. The little VW Polo was a blast to drive. Joel had never been a dancer nor had any desire, but throwing that little car through the woods sideways or swinging the tail around a hairpin turn felt like it must be something close.

“Yeah, you’ve told me about her before.” Joel said bringing his mind back to the present as she finished her phone call. “Shooting people seems to be one of her favorite activities.” He saved a small story about Le Mans on his phone for later as he spoke, turning back to her as she again focused her attention towards him. He snorted a little in amusement at her tale of “Bradley”. Here’s the baggage. He thought to himself and gave a light shrug and small grin thinking about how funny it was for an apparently grown man to keep going by the full name of Bradley instead of just Brad or something less pretentious sounding. Bradley sounded like someone who fell out of J. Crew catalogue. He shook his head. “So you’re saying you have a stalker? Is that it?” He chuckled. “I take it young Bradley is not a fan?”

@Almalthia

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Joel Nicolosi

Joel shrugged at Sio’s question. “Beats me,” He said referring to the swirling glass. “The point is to drink it, not to look at it.” He gave her a smartass smirk as he tipped the glass back and killed it in one swig finding her pushing his leg away and resuming her previous position next to him as he sat the glass down. Her possessiveness was cute and he liked that she went after what she wanted with vigor making it easy for her slide under his extended arm. He’d never dated a redhead, but it seemed most of what he heard over the years was turning out to be true. It’d been several years since he had a “girlfriend”, but figured things were about as official as they were going to get, particularly after Sio was also mentioned in the gossip column. The more he thought about it, the more he regretted doing the interview, but he couldn’t deny that a small part of him really did like the limelight.

As she continued talking about her art show he found it interesting that she automatically assumed he’d turn it down. Right out of the gate, he wanted to say, “Yeah, I’m down for it” just for fun though he reasoned with himself that she was likely crafty enough to present the showing in such a way to get him to do what she wanted- which would be massively attractive. Before he could say anything however, a slight memory from earlier blipped through his mind of an alert that popped up on his phone while they were at the shop. It was something about the museum and he tapped on his phone briefly looking for the news alerts. “Yea, what’s the deal with that anyway?” He said glancing down at the screen where the story was displayed, “They had some kinda shooting down there today.” He slid the screen over for her to take a look. “I’m surprised your agent didn’t call you, didn’t they have a bunch of your stuff staged down there?”

@Almalthia

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Paige Kennedy

Paige crossed her arms and leaned against the table next to him using her sleeve to dry her eyes slightly. I can’t believe I’m crying over a man. A voice spoke up in her mind. And of all people, I never thought it would be this one. She shook her head, only slightly as he sat down seeing the distress on his face coming forth more clearly and Sio’s words from weeks ago echoed in the back her mind as she looked at him: ...You don't want to share the details because you barely believe it is real…. She rubbed a hand over her face and glanced around outside the conference room seeing a few heads quickly turn away as her glance surveyed the room like a sentinel.

She knew he didn’t want or need the counseling that was offered to her and her fellow Marshals whenever they were forced to take a life in the line of duty and it reminded her there would be a mountain of paperwork for her to complete after the incident earlier. Then there was Sio’s painting that she felt partially responsible for ruining. She didn’t think Sio would be upset, conversely, she would probably find it cool or amusing, but the principle of it bothered Paige. It was indeed an all-around, shitty day. “The best thing…” She started to answer him and considered her words knowing she was not the best counselor, but also remembering who it was sitting in front of her. “...is to just talk about it…” The piercing green of her eyes found his and there was no malice or fire behind them, only openness.

Seeing the vulnerability in him undeniably took her back to their days in Delta City. He may have moved on from those times, but the good man she had known then was back in Sol City. There was a twinge of guilt still in the feeling and somewhere, deep-down, she dreamed in the blink of an eye that they could just run-away, though the fleeting thought was soon overshadowed with the firm desire to finish what they had started together. “We can keep you out of jail,” She said, her thoughts returning to the present and glance turning towards the floor in thought. “They’re watching the club though, I’m afraid if we go there it’ll tip’em off.” She said looking back at him. “We have someone on the inside over there though, remember?”

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SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Paige Kennedy

Paige kept her hold firm as he spoke. Sweetheart. He never called her that and the way the words came off his lips she could sense something in him that she’d never seen before. Or rather, It was two things. One she wasn’t sure of, or wouldn’t let herself be sure, the other was more obvious: fear. She knew he wasn’t scared of anyone. He was afraid of what he’d done. What he’d found himself capable of in the heat of the moment. It wasn’t the same as it had been for her. She was a sworn, Federal officer, the danger came with the job, but for him, he was just a man. She knew it frustrated him that he didn’t have the same access she did especially when what they were facing together knew no boundaries. When they came for him, he’d done what he had to do, but things were more complicated now. She let the tears that escaped her be absorbed in his shirt and exhaled letting her shoulders drop before looking up at him then back at his cuffed hands remembering she had the key.

“I’m sorry I took so long.” She said trying not to let herself sniffle and failing. Retrieving the key from her back pocket, she removed the cuffs as he spoke and rubbed his wrists where the metal was tightened over them. He was straight to business and she knew he was doing it because he didn’t want her to worry, just to get her mind on task. He knew her that well. The cuffs clamored on the hardwood conference table as she tossed them aside. When he asked the question, she thought he was referring to Elvin. “We can only hold him for a while,” She said. “I think he might be a little bit grateful, but that’s sure to dry up soon.” His confused look at the response puzzled her a bit and she explained further knowing he wasn’t aware of what she’d done and what caused her delay: “I kinda shot somebody at the museum…” In her mind the scene was reenacted and how quick she’d been on the pull. The shocked look on the imposter’s face gave her a dark satisfaction, but she hadn’t had time to figure out the reason for the confrontation and their was a note of perplexity in her voice. “I don’t know why Nikki would have sent someone after him in broad daylight and in a public place, it doesn’t make sense.” She shook her head slowly. “But I think it has something to do with that nightclub.”

@RoccanIronclad